This theme was decided on in May 2005  when many of the participants from previous conferences on multimodality gathered in Pavia to present their latest research and to discuss the planning of the current conference. The theme attempts to incorporate some of the Conference goals. 
 
One of these was to create some links between the various perspectives on multimodality existing in the research community. By definition, multimodality involves a wide canvas. It embraces descriptions of many different types of cultural artefacts –  toys, scientific instruments, texts, paintings, films, buildings, even whole cities. It entails complex interplays between many meaning-making resources: language, colour, music, gesture, gaze, movement and all kinds of ambient sounds, symbols and uses of space. It  relates to all kinds of human activities and interactions with the animate and inanimate world.
 
We have selected Body Semiotics, Digital and Internet Genres, Film Genres, Multimedia Translation, Multimodal Literacies and Education, Science and Multimodality  and Tourism and Museums as the thematic areas which we feel can best cover the canvas. We have invited plenary speakers with a track record of exploring new and well-established areas of multimodality in new ways but at the same time capable of linking up their specialist field to other perspectives and the work of other researchers.

Book day and other matters: Saturday 27^th May 2006
The Conference will last two days. However, an extra half-day – Saturday  27^th May  – has been set aside for the presentation and discussion of books and articles on multimodality.  Many books and articles on multimodality have appeared in a relatively short  period of time and many others are in press. All without exception are under publicized.  The “Book day” will be an opportunity to rectify this,  a chance for all researchers to be more aware about the research being undertaken in their own field and closely-related fields. Those wishing to discuss published and about-to-be-published volumes and articles pertaining to multimodality should contact the Organising Committee (see email address on the home page). In keeping with the conference theme, the “half-day” will also include a discussion of issues relating to the development and dissemination of multimodal studies, including planning of future conferences. 

Young researchers
An important goal is to encourage young researchers taking their first steps to have first-hand contact with established “names” in the field of multimodality and to get direct advice about their research intentions. For this reason we have endeavoured  to offer a special price for registered students. Please note that in addition to hotels, Pavia is able to offer some college accommodation. Contact us directly for further information at the email address shown on the home page.

Conference proceedings
These will be published within a year from the end of the Conference.

Getting to Pavia
Pavia is a historical Italian city which lies 35 kms South West of Milan. It is easily reached from a number of airports including Milan – Malpensa, Milan – Linate,  Milan/Bergamo – Orio al Serio.   Further details will be given shortly  in the Getting to Pavia page.
 
Accompanying persons programme
Given the vast number of cheap easily-organised day-trips to such legendary and easily-reached places as the Italian Lakes, the Cinque Terre, Venice, Verona and many others no special programme will be given. Pavia is on the railway line that starts on the Italian-French border with Nice and Monte Carlo, runs along the Ligurian coast to Genoa and then  moves inland crossing Northern Italy - Pavia, Milan, Bergamo, Brescia, Verona, Vicenza, Padua and Venice - before reaching the Italian-Slovenia border at Trieste. All trains on this line stop in Pavia.  There are also many historical sites and towns in the Pavia area. A How-to-get-there Guide for Accompanying persons will be available at a later date.
 
Only those registering will be able to attend the conference. However, we are able to make special arrangements for accompanying persons who are welcome to join us for evening meals (see Special arrangements to be published shortly or contact the email address on the home page). 
 

Weather
Weather-wise, the end of May is usually an extremely pleasant time in North-West Italy with temperatures in the mid to upper 20’s.  
 
Catering
Details to be published shortly.